Two Italians were among the 13
people killed in a terror attack in Barcelona Thursday, the
foreign ministry said Friday.
Three Italians were among the 100 injured, the ministry said.
Bruno Gulotta, 35, a hardware company marketing chief from
Legnano north of Milan, was on holiday in Barcelona with his
wife and kids.
The second victim has not yet been named.
Gulotta's wife reported that he had been among the 13 killed
on Las Ramblas by a van that ploughed into the tourist crowds.
Gulotta made sure his kids were safe before being killed, the
head of the Legnano hardware company he worked for, Pino Bruno,
said.
"They were walking along Las Ramblas with their two children,
Aria, seven months old, and Alessandro, six, who his father was
holding by the hand.
"The van suddenly arrived.
"They all instinctively crouched, to protect themselves,"
said Bruno.
Gulotta shielded his kids and was killed.
The mayor of Legnano, Giambattista Fratus, told a press
conference that Gulotta had been killed while protecting his
children.
Police are seeking the van driver, an 18-year-old from North
Africa named Moussa Oukabir.
In a social-media post two years ago, Oukabir said "kill the
infidels, and leave only Muslims who follow their religion".
After the van attack that left 100 injured including three
Italians, there was another van attack at Cambrils, a resort 70
km from Barcelona, where police killed five terrorists after
seven people including a policeman were hurt.
The Cambrils terrorists were said to be preparing another
attack on Barcelona.
Premier Paolo Gentiloni telephoned Spanish Premier Mariano
Rajoy to voice Italy's condolences, friendship and solidarity
over the Barcelona terror attack, government sources said.
Gentiloni stressed unity and firmness towards terror, which
will never beat freedom and democracy.
Rajoy assured the utmost collaboration with Italy and the
other countries hit by the attack.
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